Neurosurgical Care of Nonpowder Firearm Injuries: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Background. Nonpowder firearms discharge a projectile using compressed gases. Unlike traditional firearms, there is a perception that nonpowder guns do not cause serious injury. However, intracranial injury disproportionally affects children and can cause significant neurological disabilities and mo...

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Main Authors: Yizhou Wan, Stewart Griffiths, Mario Ganau
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-01-01
Series:Emergency Medicine International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/4680184
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author Yizhou Wan
Stewart Griffiths
Mario Ganau
author_facet Yizhou Wan
Stewart Griffiths
Mario Ganau
author_sort Yizhou Wan
collection DOAJ
description Background. Nonpowder firearms discharge a projectile using compressed gases. Unlike traditional firearms, there is a perception that nonpowder guns do not cause serious injury. However, intracranial injury disproportionally affects children and can cause significant neurological disabilities and mortality. Management of nonpowder firearm injuries has received little attention in the literature and presents unique surgical challenges. Materials and Methods. We conducted a narrative review of the literature of the management of nonpowder firearm injuries with particular emphasis on intracranial injury. Results. Modern nonpowder firearms have muzzle velocities which are capable of penetrating the skin, eyes, and bone. Direct intracranial injury commonly results from entrance of projectile through thinner portions of the skull. Operative intervention is needed to debride and safely explore the trajectory to remove fragments which can easily cause neurovascular injury. Conclusions. Neurosurgeons play a crucial role in managing serious nonpowder firearm injuries. A multidisciplinary team is needed to manage the direct results of penetrating injury and long-term sequalae.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2090-2840
2090-2859
language English
publishDate 2019-01-01
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record_format Article
series Emergency Medicine International
spelling doaj-art-23943e42c2d94336935c8a87a8bc97272025-08-20T03:54:57ZengWileyEmergency Medicine International2090-28402090-28592019-01-01201910.1155/2019/46801844680184Neurosurgical Care of Nonpowder Firearm Injuries: A Narrative Review of the LiteratureYizhou Wan0Stewart Griffiths1Mario Ganau2Department of Neurosurgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UKDepartment of Neurosurgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UKDepartment of Neurosurgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UKBackground. Nonpowder firearms discharge a projectile using compressed gases. Unlike traditional firearms, there is a perception that nonpowder guns do not cause serious injury. However, intracranial injury disproportionally affects children and can cause significant neurological disabilities and mortality. Management of nonpowder firearm injuries has received little attention in the literature and presents unique surgical challenges. Materials and Methods. We conducted a narrative review of the literature of the management of nonpowder firearm injuries with particular emphasis on intracranial injury. Results. Modern nonpowder firearms have muzzle velocities which are capable of penetrating the skin, eyes, and bone. Direct intracranial injury commonly results from entrance of projectile through thinner portions of the skull. Operative intervention is needed to debride and safely explore the trajectory to remove fragments which can easily cause neurovascular injury. Conclusions. Neurosurgeons play a crucial role in managing serious nonpowder firearm injuries. A multidisciplinary team is needed to manage the direct results of penetrating injury and long-term sequalae.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/4680184
spellingShingle Yizhou Wan
Stewart Griffiths
Mario Ganau
Neurosurgical Care of Nonpowder Firearm Injuries: A Narrative Review of the Literature
Emergency Medicine International
title Neurosurgical Care of Nonpowder Firearm Injuries: A Narrative Review of the Literature
title_full Neurosurgical Care of Nonpowder Firearm Injuries: A Narrative Review of the Literature
title_fullStr Neurosurgical Care of Nonpowder Firearm Injuries: A Narrative Review of the Literature
title_full_unstemmed Neurosurgical Care of Nonpowder Firearm Injuries: A Narrative Review of the Literature
title_short Neurosurgical Care of Nonpowder Firearm Injuries: A Narrative Review of the Literature
title_sort neurosurgical care of nonpowder firearm injuries a narrative review of the literature
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/4680184
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AT marioganau neurosurgicalcareofnonpowderfirearminjuriesanarrativereviewoftheliterature